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You should contact him and have him try the VA again. I was accepted by the VA (not for Agent Orange) and from everything that I read and hear (official VA materials) if he can prove contact with Agent Orange it is an almost automatic approval at 100% disability. If he is still having problems getting approved, have him contact the local DAV, VFW, or American Legion and speak with a VSO (Veterans Service Officer). They are specially trained veterans that provide free help in completing the paperwork and will even fax it directly in. They also have Veteran Service Reps at most VA facilities that he can talk with (can take a while to get an appointment though). County and state offices usually have a department that can help. Have him not give up -- it can sometimes take a number of tries and appeals. Thank him for us.

I've been fighting with the VA for over 46 years on things that even they admit were probably caused by the military. I'm a life member of the DAV and went to change posts recently and the rep told me to reapply (with the DAV's help)...again. So I did and got bumped from 10% service connected to 40% and they're still working on one other claim. Let this fine gentlemen know that if he keeps pushing, can support his claims with hard facts, he can usually win his case. But it's all on him as the VA makes you prove your case and they won't really help much. The internet is a great place to find a lot of info. Best of luck to him!

You should contact him and have him try the VA again. I was accepted by the VA (not for Agent Orange) and from everything that I read and hear (official VA materials) if he can prove contact with Agent Orange it is an almost automatic approval at 100% disability. If he is still having problems getting approved, have him contact the local DAV, VFW, or American Legion and speak with a VSO (Veterans Service Officer). They are specially trained veterans that provide free help in completing the paperwork and will even fax it directly in. They also have Veteran Service Reps at most VA facilities that he can talk with (can take a while to get an appointment though). County and state offices usually have a department that can help. Have him not give up -- it can sometimes take a number of tries and appeals. Thank him for us.

You do not have to prove you were in contact with Agent Orange, if you served in the area of operations, it is presumed by the VA that you were exposed. I have been doing the Agent Orange dance since the 1970's, cancer. high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, etc., if the condition is one that is listed, the disability award is as automatic as it can be.

Not necessarily true. It does depend on where you were. Congress is trying to pass something that will benefit sailors who were exposed, much like this scenario. The VA is fighting this very, very hard. This might apply, especially due to the fact he was in Cambodia and not in Vietnam.

Sometimes people don't want to spend their life mired in fighting the VA.

He only needs to prove he was in the Service, that his unit is on the list of eligible units, and the VA should grant him coverage. There are several Vet groups who will help him if he needs guidance. Tell him to start by calling the regional VA Office!! NOW! P.

He only needs to prove he was in the Service, that his unit is on the list of eligible units, and the VA should grant him coverage. There are several Vet groups who will help him if he needs guidance. Tell him to start by calling the regional VA Office!! NOW! P.

With all due respect Admiral, I have to somewhat disagree. I recently was awarded a 0% service connected rating on one of the medications I have to take to counteract some of the side effects of another drug I take to control the service connected disability. I've been struggling with the VA for years just to get the co-pay taken care of. I did all the research, submitted all the forms through the VA rep in my area , but I did all the leg work. I even included three studies from the Mayo clinic that show the connection. So yes, the VA will help but my experience has been that I, the Veteran, have to do all the research and it can take a lot of time.
Thanks for your service. I see you were also a chopper pilot. Ever fly in East Africa in 1974?